Posted by Cindy on October 17, 2007
We celebrated my 36th birthday this week. Mahayla had such big plans for a homemade cake with homemade chocolate icing. The cake was wonderful, but to her dismay, we didn’t have enough powdered sugar in the pantry to make icing. So, we simply sprinkled the little bit of powdered sugar over the fresh cake and it was scrumptious anyway! Caleb lit a few candles, then my wish was made.
Everyone gave me sweet cards and Mahayla even crocheted two cute little pot holders. She said they’re for the salt and pepper shakers – and they do fit perfectly! How she kept that project a secret, I’ll never know.
I want to send a special thank you out to my family, church and co-op friends who remembered my birthday. I’m not even sure how some of them knew it was my birthday?? 
) Thirty-six isn’t so bad when you are loved by so many. I love you all, too!
Posted by Cindy on September 9, 2007
My Daddy is turning 60. Twenty-four years ago on my Mom’s 30th birthday, my Dad surprised her with a party full of friends and family. It took her quite a long time to repay the favor, but she successfully pulled off a surprise birthday party for him this year!
We had such a good time! Sorry, there are no pictures from the party. My digital camera decided to stop working on this important night! There are plenty of pictures on my Mom’s camera, though!
My sister put together a Power Point presentation of all sorts of pictures my Mom dug up from the past 60 years of my Dad’s life. She put it to ”oldies” music. It turned out beautifully!
My Dad doesn’t need a thing materially, so I struggled for quite some time with what to give him for such a momentous birthday. My friend, Jody, told me of an idea she did for her dad that turned out to be a hit, so I grabbed the idea and ran. I wrote my Dad a letter with 60 memories I have of him. I printed it on pretty scrapbook paper and put it in a leather scrapbook journal. It’s a gift I hope he’ll treasure for years to come!
Happy Birthday Daddy!!
Posted by Cindy on June 7, 2007
Seven. How do the years go by so quickly? As I sit holding Eli, I remember holding Caleb the same way what seems like only yesterday.
He’s always been my cuddle-bug. I don’t understand how someone can be so full of energy, so busy, so fast and so independent, yet give more hugs than anybody I’ve ever met. Have you ever seen Dash from The Incredibles? Have you ever seen Hammy from Over The Hedge? Put them together and you’ve met Caleb. 
But in the midst of all the action, he still always has time for me. His Mom. I prefer Mommy, but Mom will now do.
I’m very proud to be his Mom. I know the Lord must have some amazing plans for him. I don’t want the years to go quickly, but I do look forward to watching God in action with this kid.
Thank you, God, for this beautiful little boy that you’ve entrusted to my care. Make him yours and do amazing things through him in spite of me and the lousy job I sometimes do. Happy Birthday, sweet son.
Msack asked if I made the cake. Yes, and it was VERY easy. The sand is crushed vanilla wafers, the seaweed is a twisted fruit roll, the lobster is m &m’s, I used Goldfish for the school of fish, the other animals are gummy Swedish Fish candies and the Sponge Bob 
characters were found in the cake decorating section at the grocery. I sort of combined a few ideas I found from the internet. My kids were very excited because I never buy gummies and roll-ups!
Posted by Cindy on February 17, 2007
Happy Birthday my sweet, beautiful Mahayla! We celebrated your BIG 10 year old birthday today – I can’t believe it’s been TEN YEARS already!! I wouldn’t trade one moment of these ten years for all the money in the world. You are growing into an amazing young lady and I look forward to all the days ahead – watching you grow, learn, laugh….. Thank you for all you’ve taught me! Yes, you’ve taught me a lot – like what it means to love someone more than I could have ever imagined and how forgiving a child can be when a mom messes up. Thanks for being patient, my first child.
You are simply wonderful and I’m very proud of you!
